Craig Bohl names new Pokes coaching staff

Craig Bohl Announces Coaching Staff at Wyoming

Seven of Nine Coaching Positions Filled, Two Positions Remain to be Announced

University of Wyoming head football coach Craig Bohl announced seven members of his coaching staff and one administrative position on Wednesday. Of those eight individuals, seven came with Bohl from North Dakota State to join his new Wyoming staff. They will join Pete Kaligis,
who has coached at Wyoming for the past five seasons and has been
retained by Bohl. There are still two coaching positions that remain
open on Bohl’s staff.

Kaligis will coach the Wyoming defensive tackles in 2014. Kaligis
coached the offensive line and running backs during his past five
seasons at Wyoming. Brent Vigen, who served as the offensive
coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Dakota State under Bohl
since 2009, will now serve as Wyoming’s offensive coordinator and QBs
coach. Steve Stanard will be the Cowboys’ new defensive
coordinator and linebackers coach. He was the linebackers coach at NDSU
the past two seasons. Stanard has 18 years experience as a defensive
coordinator at such schools as Tulane, Colorado State and New Mexico
State. Kenni Burns will coach the Cowboy wide receivers. He
handled the same role at North Dakota State, coaching the Bison wide
receivers for the last four seasons. AJ Cooper will coach the
Cowboy defensive ends and coordinate special teams -- a similar position
he served in at NDSU for the past five seasons (2009-13). Scott Fuchs, the offensive line coach at North Dakota State the past five seasons, will guide the Cowboy offensive line. John Richardson will coach Wyoming’s cornerbacks. He coached the Bison cornerbacks in 2012 and ‘13. Gordie Haug,
who has been an offensive assistant under Bohl the past two seasons,
will take over as Director of Recruiting for the Cowboy Football
program.

Bohl’s staff members joining him from North Dakota State were part of
three consecutive NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National
Championships in 2011, ‘12 and ‘13. Those three consecutive titles also
tied the Bison with Appalachian State (2005-07) as the only two schools
to win three consecutive FCS national titles.

By winning this year’s FCS National Championship, North Dakota State
extended its current winning streak to 24 consecutive games, which tied
both the NDSU and FCS records for consecutive victories. The Bison teams
from 1964-66 originally set the school record with 24 straight
victories. The University of Pennsylvania set the FCS record of 24
consecutive wins from 1992-95. That record was later tied by Montana
from 2001-02.

The 2013 NDSU team also set a North Dakota State single-season record
for wins, posting a perfect 15-0 record in 2013. The Bison became the
first undefeated FCS National Champion since Marshall went 15-0 to win
the 1996 FCS title.

The two coaching positions that remain open on Bohl’s staff are a
coaching position for safeties and a position for a running
backs/fullbacks/tight ends coach.

Brent Vigen

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

Brent Vigen brings 16 years of college-coaching experience with him to
Wyoming and five years experience as an offensive coordinator. Vigen
was the offensive coordinator for each of North Dakota State’s three
consecutive FCS National Championships in 2011, ‘12 and ‘13. In 2013,
Vigen’s offense at North Dakota State ranked No. 10 in the nation in
scoring offense (38.7 points per game), No. 7 in rushing offense (257.3
yards per game) and No. 14 in total offense (457.5 yards per game). He coached quarterback Brock Jensen, who earned Third Team All-America
honors from the Associated Press in 2013. Jensen ranked No. 4 in the
country in points responsible for in 2013 (264 points), No. 5 in the
nation in passing efficiency (167.4 rating), No. 5 in passing TDs (34)
and No. 9 in the nation in completion percentage (66.3 percent).
In each of the past two seasons, NDSU has featured a pair of 1,000-yard
rushers each season and a 1,000-yard receiver each season, while Jensen
set North Dakota State passing records each of the past two seasons. Vigen, who played tight end at NDSU from 1993-97, began his college
coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Bison from 1998-2000.
He became a full-time coach in 2001, coaching the NDSU quarterbacks and
tight ends for the 2001 and ‘02 seasons. He remained at his alma mater
as the running backs coach in 2003 when Craig Bohl became head coach of
the Bison. From 2004-08, Vigen was elevated to passing game coordinator
and quarterbacks coach, and in 2009 he was named offensive coordinator
and continued to coach the Bison QBs.

Vigen earned his bachelor’s degree from NDSU in 1998 and completed his
master’s degree, also from North Dakota State in 2000. He was part of
three NCAA Division II Playoff squads for the Bison, helping lead NDSU
to the 1994 North Central Conference Championship. He and his wife,
Molly, have three boys, Jake, Grant and Luke. Molly played basketball at
NDSU and was a member of the 1996 NCAA Division II National
Championship team and three NCC title squads.

Steve Stanard

Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach

Steve Stanard comes to Wyoming with 22 years of coaching experience at
the college level and 18 years of experience as a defensive
coordinator. His experience includes three seasons as the defensive
coordinator and linebackers coach at Tulane (2009-11), five years as the
defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Colorado State (2003-07)
under former head coach Sonny Lubick and three years as the defensive
coordinator at New Mexico State.

As the linebackers coach at North Dakota State in 2012 and ‘13, Stanard
helped the Bison rank No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense each of
those two seasons, holding opponents to only 11.5 points per game in
2012 and only 11.3 points per game in 2013. NDSU led the nation in
total defense in 2012, giving up only 234.5 yards per game, and ranked
No. 3 in the country in total defense in 2013, allowing only 255.9 yards
per game.

In 2013, Stanard coached Third Team All-America linebacker Grant Olson,
who was honored as an All-American by the Associated Press. Olson set a
school record with 29 tackles in NDSU’s 14-7 win over Wofford College
in the 2012 NCAA FCS quarterfinals.

Stanard has been a part of nine bowl games as a player or coach.
During his five seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers
coach at Colorado State, Stanard helped lead CSU to two bowl appearances
and mentored four student-athletes who collected All-Mountain West
Conference honors. Two of Stanard’s prized pupils were CSU linebackers
Jeff Horinek and Eric Pauly. Pauly was a three-time Academic
All-American.

Stanard began his college coaching career in 1988 as a student
assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska, under
head coach Tom Osborne. At Nebraska, Stanard saw the Huskers earn seven
bowl bids during his time as a student-athlete or coach. After
beginning his coaching career at his alma mater, Stanard coached at
Nebraska Wesleyan University for five years, serving as the school’s
defensive coordinator, head coach and an assistant athletic director
during that five-year span.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from
Nebraska in 1989 and completed his master’s degree in 1995.

Stanard and his wife Jennifer will be moving to Laramie this winter. He
has four children, Austin, Paige, Max and Madison.

Pete Kaligis

Defensive Tackles Coach

Pete Kaligis will be the defensive tackles coach on Craig Bohl’s staff
at Wyoming. In 2013, he served as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running
Backs Coach for the Wyoming Cowboys. He added the offensive coordinator
duties to his responsibilities in February of 2013. The 2013 season
marked Kaligis’ 19th season as a college coach. He is entering his
sixth season at Wyoming in 2014. He coached the Cowboy running backs in
2012 and ‘13. In 2013, sophomore running back Shaun Wick nearly
reached the 1,000-yard plateau, rushing for 979 yards. Kaligis’ first
four years at Wyoming, he coached the Cowboy offensive line.

In 2013, Wyoming ranked 22nd in the nation in total offense (472.8
yards per game) and 26th in passing offense (282.4 yards per game). The
Wyoming offense ranked second in the Mountain West Conference and 38th
in the nation in passing offense in 2012, averaging 265.4 yards per
game. In 2012, Kaligis coached First Team All-Mountain West center Nick
Carlson. Carlson was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the
second time his senior season. The Rimington Trophy honors the nation’s
top center each season. Carlson was also named to the 2012 Rotary
Lombardi Award Watch List, and was one of only 10 national finalists for
the ARA Sportsmanship Award as a senior. Carlson (Tampa Bay
Bucanneers) and senior offensive tackles Josh Leonard (Oakland Raiders)
and Kyle Magnuson (Oakland Raiders) each were invited to NFL camps as
free agents following their senior seasons.

In 2011 the Cowboy offense ranked No. 11 in the nation in fewest sacks
allowed, allowing only 12 sacks in 13 games. Three UW offensive linemen
earned Mountain West All-Conference honors in 2011. Senior tackle
Clayton Kirven and junior center Nick Carlson were named Second Team
All-Mountain West. Sophomore offensive guard Tyler Strong earned
Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition. Carlson was named to the
Rimington Trophy Watch List for the first time in 2011.

In 2010, Kaligis coached sophomore center Carlson, who went on to earn
Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference honors. One of Kaligis’
2009 Cowboys, offensive tackle Ryan Otterson, signed a free-agent
contract with the San Diego Chargers following the 2010 NFL Draft.

During his 18 previous seasons coaching at the college level, Kaligis
has been a part of 12 teams that advanced to postseason play, including
five bowl appearances with NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams. In
addition to the Cowboys’ appearance in the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl
and UW’s win in the 2009 New Mexico Bowl, Kaligis was a strength and
conditioning coach at Washington when the Huskies played in the 1999
Holiday Bowl (losing to Kansas State, 24-20), won the 2000 Rose Bowl
(defeating Purdue, 34-24) and played in the 2002 Sun Bowl (losing to
Purdue, 34-24).

An outstanding college football player and track athlete, Kaligis
started all 12 games at offensive guard for the Washington Huskies and
former head football coach Don James when they captured the 1991
National Championship. The Huskies posted a perfect 12-0 record and
defeated Michigan, 34-14, in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1992, to win the
national title. He was a member of the Husky Football team from
1990-94. He was an All-American in track and field in the
shot put. He won the gold medal at the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival, and
placed third in the 1995 University Games. He participated in the 1996
Olympic Trials in track and field in the shot put.

Kaligis
earned his B.A. degree in sociology and law enforcement at Washington
in 1994. He and his wife Kristine have a daughter, Harlie Grace, and a
son, Cooper.

Kenni Burns

Wide Receivers

Kenni Burns will coach the Cowboy wide receivers on Craig Bohl’s new
coaching staff at Wyoming. Burns has coached the wide receivers the
past four seasons at North Dakota State. He will be entering his eighth
year as a college coach in 2014. Prior to joining the NDSU coaching
staff in 2010, he spent two seasons as the tight ends coach at Southern
Illinois. In addition to being part of three National Championships and
three Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) titles at NDSU, he was
also part of two MVFC titles at Southern Illinois and two FCS playoff
appearances with the Salukis.

In 2013, he coached 1,000-yard receiver Zach Vraa, who had 67
receptions for 1,191 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He also coached
former NDSU receiver Warren Holloway in 2011, who had 77 receptions for
1,003 yards and eight receiving TDs.

Burns began his coaching career at Millersvile (Pa.) University in 2007, where he coached the running backs.

He played running back himself at Indiana University from 2003-06.
Burns was a three-year letterwinner for the Hoosiers.

A native of Springfield, Ill., Burns attended Sacred Heart Griffin
(Ill.) High School. He was a three-time All-State player and was the
first ever sophomore to receive All-State honors. He also received
several All-America honors his senior year. He completed his bachelor’s
degree at Indiana in December 2006.

AJ Cooper

Defensive Ends Coach/Special Teams

AJ Cooper comes to Wyoming after serving as a member of North Dakota
State’s coaching staff the past eight seasons. His coaching career
followed an outstanding playing career for the Bison. Cooper has been
the defensive ends coach for NDSU the past five seasons and will
continue that role at Wyoming along with coordinating special teams.

As the defensive ends coach at North Dakota State in 2012 and ‘13,
Cooper helped the Bison rank No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense each
of those two seasons, holding opponents to only 11.5 points per game in
2012 and only 11.3 points per game in 2013. NDSU led the nation in
total defense in 2012, giving up only 234.5 yards per game, and ranked
No. 3 in the country in total defense in 2013, allowing only 255.9 yards
per game.

Prior to becoming the defensive ends coach in 2009, Cooper worked with
the offensive line and tight ends as a student assistant and graduate
assistant with the program from 2006-08.

An outstanding tight end for the Bison in the 2004 and 2005 seasons, he
earned Honorable Mention All-America honors from the Football Gazette
in ‘05. He caught 24 passes for 473 yards (19.7 yards per catch) and
four touchdowns as a senior.

Following his college playing career, Cooper signed as an undrafted
free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2006 and received an extended
look at training camp.

Originally from Phoenix, Ariz., Cooper began his college career at
Glendale Community College. His final season of junior college, he led
all JC tight ends in three different categories, catching 44 passes for
578 yards and eight touchdowns.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from NDSU in 2006, and was married in
August 2010 to former NDSU women’s basketball player Amanda Girodat. The
couple have one son, Carter Johnson.

Scott Fuchs

Offensive Line Coach

Scott Fuchs brings a wealth of experience to the Cowboy coaching staff,
with 17 years experience as a full-time college coach and three
additional years as a graduate assistant. Fuchs has coached the North
Dakota State offensive line the past five seasons, and has been an
offensive line coach for 16 of his 17 years as a college coach. He was
also an All-America offensive guard at NDSU in 1993.

In 2012 and 2013, Fuchs coached Consensus First Team All-America
offensive tackle Billy Turner. In 2011, he coached All-America
offensive tackle Paul Cornick, and former center Joe Lund was selected
as the FCS Rimington Award winner, which is presented to the top center
in the nation each season. All total, he has coached nine All-Americans
and 31 All-Conference performers. He has been on coaching staffs that
have won nine conference titles during his college coaching career.

In 2013, the North Dakota State offense ranked No. 10 in the nation in
scoring offense (38.7 points per game), No. 7 in rushing offense (257.3
yards per game) and No. 14 in total offense (457.5 yards per game).

Fuchs offensive lines have helped pave the way for North Dakota State
to have a 1,000-yard rusher for 11 consecutive seasons, including having
two 1,000-yard rushers in each of the past three seasons 2011, 2012 and
2013.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Fuchs coached one season at
Southern Illinois in 2008. That team tied for the conference title and
advanced to the FCS Playoffs. He also coached at Grand Valley State
(2007), Nebraska-Omaha (2003-06), Minnesota-Crookston (2000-03),
Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1999) and Valley City State (1997-98). The only
school he did not coach the offensive line was his one season at
Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

His first position as a college coach was as a graduate assistant at
NDSU working with the tight ends from 1994-97.

He was named to the 1993 Kodak/American Football Coaches Association
First Team All-America team as a senior, and was part of three North
Central Conference Championships teams at NDSU.

Fuchs earned his bachelor of science degree from North Dakota State in
physical education and social science education in 1995 and his master
of education degree with a specialization in physical education and
athletic administration in 1997.

Scott and his wife, Emily, have three boys, Hank, Jack and Gus.

John Richardson

Cornerbacks Coach

John Richardson takes over as cornerbacks coach for the Wyoming Cowboys
in 2014. He was a defensive assistant at his alma mater, North Dakota
State, in 2012 and 2013. He has been a member of the NDSU staff since
2009, spending the 2009 and ‘10 seasons as a student assistant before
becoming a graduate assistant coach in 2011.

As a full-time coach at North Dakota State in 2012 and ‘13, Cooper
helped the Bison rank No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense each of
those two seasons, holding opponents to only 11.5 points per game in
2012 and only 11.3 points per game in 2013. NDSU led the nation in
total defense in 2012, giving up only 234.5 yards per game, and ranked
No. 3 in the country in total defense in 2013, allowing only 255.9 yards
per game.

This past season, Richardson coached Consensus First Team All-America
cornerback Marcus Williams, who received All-America honors for the
third consecutive season.

A starting cornerback at NDSU in 2007 and ‘08, Richardson made 85
tackles over his two-year career, with 57 solo tackles, 19 passes
defended, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He began his
college career in his home state of California at Mt. San Antonio
Community College.

Originally from Compton, Calif., Richardson completed his bachelor’s
degree in sports and recreation leadership in December 2010. He earned
Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll honors his senior year of
2008.

He and his wife, Sahfiya, have one son, John Michael.

Gordie Haug

Director of Recruiting

Gordie Haug will serve as the Director of Recruiting for the Wyoming
Football program in 2014. He has been a member of Coach Craig Bohl’s
coaching staff each of the past two seasons, working with the offensive
staff.

He worked with the running backs the past two seasons at North Dakota
State. Each of those two seasons, NDSU had two individuals rush for
over 1,000 yards. In 2013, Sam Ojuri rushed for 1,398 yards and John
Crockett rushed for 1,277 yards. The 2012 season saw Ojuri rush for
1,047 yards and Crockett rush for 1,038.

Before joining the North Dakota State staff, Haug spent five years
(2007-11) coaching at his alma mater, Bemidji State University in
Minnesota, where he started as a student assistant, moved into a
graduate assistant role and them became an assistant coach on the staff.

At Bemidji State, Haug was also involved in recruiting and assisted with the strength and conditioning program.

Source: Wyoming Athletics

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2009 and master’s degree in 2011 from Bemidji State.